A Note of Appreciation

[Shadyapex]

I know I don't contribute to this forum much but I do check in now and then to search for, or ask, questions. So after spending the last year being frustrated with the antics required to get my T3 onto its center stand I came to do a search thinking that I might find a recommendation for a replacement stand that would work more like every other motorcycle I've ever ridden.
What I found instead was that I'd been making the mistake of putting my foot on the tang, like every other motorcycle I've ever ridden. My routine involved putting my left foot on the tang, putting both hands on the seat grab rail and performing a maneuver that I was pretty sure was going to send me to the hospital for more back surgery.
Now that I know how to properly deploy the stand, thanks to the wildguzzi archives, maybe I won't make a fool of myself in some parking lot when I blow it and wind up prone on the asphalt with the bike on top of me and a couple more herniated discs. Thanks guys,,,,,,

[Lannis]

Every bike except a Guzzi works the way you, I, and a thousand others tried it first!

I can't remember who set me straight, but it was someone who obviously saw me straining and sweating and trying to lift the bike bodily off the ground,  and who came over, lightly eased it on to the stand, and asked if I could see what he'd just done .... !

Lannis

[Shadyapex]

Yup, it was a revelation indeed. Having worked in a motorcycle shop as a mechanic for several years in the '80s I really didn't think I'd get stumped by a center stand. Sure glad I know now though.

[fotoguzzi]

probably thought up by a left handed Italian.

[Kiwi_Roy]

My method is to walk the bike backwards at about walking speed, push the stand down with my right foot and it pops right up by itself, it takes practice.

[toukow]

Now that I know how to properly deploy the stand, thanks to the wildguzzi archives, maybe I won't make a fool of myself in some parking lot when I blow it and wind up prone on the asphalt with the bike on top of me and a couple more herniated discs. Thanks guys,,,,,,

First, I don't have a center stand on my Bassa but would like to get one and second, I'm new to Guzzi. I don't really see a description in this thread as to what's unique with this technique compared to other bikes. Is it more of move 'straight backwards' type motion, than an ' up and back' motion? Does this video show what is being discussed, or is the motion different?

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_center_stand_usage.html

[Cam3512]

On the older Guzzis you don't use the deployment tang to get the bike up.  You need to put a foot on the "foot".  Newer Guzzis use the tang to get the bike up on the stand.  Not exactly sure when this changed?

[fotoguzzi]

your Bassa can use a centerstand from any late model Tonti frame, Cal 3, EV etc.. the mounting hardware is already in place on your bike, on the tranny /frame mounting bolt. so you just need the stand and retracting springs.

[Jim Rich]

Re struggling with a bike...
When I was a kid I had a friend, an old timer named Charlie Wilson, who ran a body shop and was a true craftsman.  He told me that when he was young he had an Indian Straight Four but he did not weigh enough to get it kick started.  He said he would ask his neighbor, who was a bigger guy, to come over and kick start the bike for him so he could go riding. 

[Moto]

Does this video show what is being discussed?

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_center_stand_usage.html

Yes! A flawless demonstration.

[Cam3512]

My method is to walk the bike backwards at about walking speed, push the stand down with my right foot and it pops right up by itself, it takes practice.

That's just asking to dump the bike.  Easy enough in place.

[SmokyBC]

That video was great. I couldn't get my Eldorad on the centre stand at all.

Lesson learned.  😃😃😃